To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people entered the United Kingdom under tier 2 of the points-based system in each month since February 2009. [HL2194]

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people entered the United Kingdom under tier 1 of the points-based system in each month since February 2009. [HL2195]

Data relating to passengers entering the United Kingdom in 2009 are currently being prepared for inclusion in the Home Office statistical publication “Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2009”. This is due to be published in August 2010 and will be available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office research, development and statistics website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html.

The requested monthly breakdown will therefore not be available until this date.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their assessment of recent evidence from the Immigration Advisory Service about the use of country of origin information in determining the status of refugees; and what changes they have made to that process in the past 12 months. [HL2371]

UK Border Agency's country of origin (COI) material is subject to public external scrutiny by the independent chief inspector of UKBA to help ensure that it is as current, accurate and balanced as possible. The agency continuously monitors and evaluates all aspects of asylum caseworking practice, including the use of COI. The Immigration Advisory Service report The Refugee Roulette contains some interesting material which will inform these quality assurance processes.

A key part of the agency's quality assurance system, endorsed by UNHCR, is to check appropriate use of country of origin information. The agency has given a commitment to the Public Accounts Committee that 10 per cent of all asylum decisions will be independently audited in addition to those audited locally. The agency has also revamped its foundation training package and has introduced for the first time consolidation training for its case owners.